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Motor skill learning and intensive neurorehabilitation Lab (MSL-IN)

ions | Bruxelles Woluwe, Louvain-la-Neuve

Description

The Motor Skill Learning and Intensive Neurorehabilitation (MSL-IN) laboratory has been investigating the optimal parameters of intensive rehabilitation for brain-damaged patients for several years. 

Since 2011, our team has developed an innovative method combining upper and lower limb rehabilitation within the same window of opportunity: Hand and Arm Bimanual Intensive Therapy Including Lower Extremities (HABIT-ILE). This therapy is based on the principles of motor learning and has already demonstrated its ability to deliver significant functional improvements in children with cerebral palsy, linked to cortical reorganization processes that reflect the brain's ability to adapt and strengthen certain structures in response to stimuli.

Our main research projects aim to evaluate the effects of intensive interventions at different levels in various populations of individuals with brain lesions, and to define the optimal modalities of training. 

Assessment methods

  • Multidimensional approach combining functional assessments, advanced analyses of brain plasticity (MRI, DTI) and spinal cord plasticity, pain, muscle mass (ultrasound), cognitive and visual-spatial abilities, etc.

  • Creation and validation of questionnaires to assess activity and social participation.

Target populations

Our work focuses on intensive neurorehabilitation in pathologies resulting from cerebral lesions or alterations. 

To date, our research has focused on different populations:

  • Babies and children with cerebral palsy (CP)

  • Stroke patients

  • Patients with acquired/traumatic brain injuries

Current projects focus on adult patients with bilateral cerebral palsy. 

By combining clinical expertise and fundamental research, our laboratory aims to refine intensive rehabilitation protocols to optimize motor and functional recovery in adults with cerebral palsy.

MSL-IN video

Principal Investigator

Prof. Yannick BLEYENHEUFT, PT, PhD

Dr. Geoffroy SAUSSEZ, PT, PhD, invited professor

PhD students

Elisa Vancolen

Edouard Ducoffre

Enimie Herman

Zélie Rosselli

Merlin Somville

Nguyen Mai Ngoc Doan

Technician

Odile Coppieters 'T Wallant, lab manager

 

  • Columbia University, NY, USA 
  • University of Queensland, Australia
  • Universidad Andres Bello, Chile
  • CHU Brest, France 
  • Pisa University, Italy
  • University of Balearic Islands, Spain
  • Ho Chi Minh City University, Vietnam
  • Université de Parakou, Bénin

Influence of corticospinal re-organization on plastic changes during intensive training in children with CP

 

Changes in executive functions of children with CP after intensive motor interventions.

 

Functional, neuroplastic and biomechanical changes induced by early HABITILE in pre-school children 

 

Implementing virtual reality interfaces during intensive motor skill learning interventions

 

Investigating the changes in white matter microstructure in babies (6- 18 months) and adults with brain lesions after intensive interventions

 

Addressing Barriers to the Implementation of Intensive Functional Interventions in Children with Cerebral Palsy

 

Functional neurorehabilitation using intensive therapy and evaluation at home for children with bilateral cerebral palsy

 

Functional neurorehabilitation using intensive therapy and evaluation at home for adults with stroke

 

Measuring social participation and related factors in individuals with brain lesions

 

Effects of HABIT-ILE intensive therapy on muscle structure and function in children and adults with bilateral cerebral palsy

 

Arnould C, Paradis J, Penta M, Thonnard JL, Bleyenheuft Y. ABILHAND-kids young CP: a measure of manual ability in young children with cerebral palsy aged 2 to 7. J Rehabil Med. 2025 Aug 20;57:jrm42691. doi: 10.2340/jrm.v57.42691.

 

Astrid Carton de Tournai, PT; Enimie Herman, PT; Daniela Ebner-Karestinos, PhD; Estelle Gathy, PT; Rodrigo Araneda, PhD; Anne Renders, MD; Célia De Clerck, PT; Seyma Kilcioğlu, PT; Laurence Dricot, PhD; Benoit Macq, PhD; Yves Vandermeeren, PhD; Yannick Bleyenheuft, PhD. Hand-Arm Bimanual Intensive Therapy Including Lower Extremities in Infants With Unilateral Cerebral Palsy: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Network Open. 2024;7(11):e2445133. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.45133

 

Araneda R, Ebner-Karestinos D, Paradis J, Klöcker A, Saussez G, Demas J, Bailly R, Bouvier S, Carton de Tournai A, Herman E, Souki A, Le Gal G, Nowak E, Sizonenko SV, Newman CJ, Dinomais M, Riquelme I, Guzzetta A, Brochard S, Bleyenheuft Y. Changes Induced by Early Hand-Arm Bimanual Intensive Therapy Including Lower Extremities in Young Children With Unilateral Cerebral Palsy: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Pediatr. 2024 Jan 1;178(1):19-28. doi: 10.1001/jamapediatrics.2023.4809.

 

Araneda R, Dricot L, Ebner-Karestinos D, Paradis J, Gordon AM, Friel KM, Bleyenheuft Y. Brain activation changes following motor training in children with unilateral cerebral palsy: An fMRI study. Ann Phys Rehabil Med. 2021 May;64(3):101502. doi: 10.1016/j.rehab.2021.101502. Epub 2021 Mar 22

 

Bleyenheuft Y, Dricot L, Ebner-Karestinos D, Paradis J, Saussez G, Renders A, De Volder A, Araneda R, Gordon AM, Friel KM. Motor Skill Training May Restore Impaired Corticospinal Tract Fibers in Children With Cerebral Palsy. Neurorehabil Neural Repair. 2020 Jun;34(6):533-546.

 

Saussez G, Brandão MB, Gordon AM, Bleyenheuft Y. Including a Lower-Extremity Component during Hand-Arm Bimanual Intensive Training does not Attenuate Improvements of the Upper Extremities: A Retrospective Study of Randomized Trials. Front Neurol. 2017 Sep 26;8:495. doi: 10.3389/fneur.2017.00495.

 

Bleyenheuft Y, Arnould C, Brandao MB, Bleyenheuft C, Gordon AM. Hand and Arm Bimanual Intensive Therapy Including Lower Extremity (HABIT-ILE) in Children With Unilateral Spastic Cerebral Palsy: A Randomized Trial. Neurorehabil Neural Repair. 2015 Aug;29(7):645-57. doi: 10.1177/1545968314562109.

 

Publications

  • 2024
    • Article de journal
      Carton de Tournai, A., Herman, E., Ebner Karestinos, D. S., Gathy, E., Araneda Oyaneder, R., Renders, A., De Clerck, C., Kilcioglu, S., Dricot, L., Macq, B., Vandermeeren, Y., & Bleyenheuft, Y. (2024). Hand-Arm Bimanual Intensive Therapy Including Lower Extremities in Infants With Unilateral Cerebral Palsy: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Network Open, 7(11), e2445133. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.45133 (Original work published 2024)
    • Ferron, A., Robert, M. T., Fortin, W., Bau, O., Cardinal, M.-C., Desgagné, J., Saussez, G., Bleyenheuft, Y., & Levac, D. (2024). Virtual Reality and Active Video Game Integration within an Intensive Bimanual Therapy Program for Children with Hemiplegia. Physical & Occupational Therapy in Pediatrics : a quarterly journal of developmental therapy, 44(3), 410-426. https://doi.org/10.1080/01942638.2023.2259462 (Original work published 2024)
    • Papier de conférence
      Gathy, E., Ebner Karestinos, D. S., Carton de Tournai, A., Herman, E., Araneda Oyaneder, R., Roselli, Z., Someville, M., Lauricella, L., Dricot, L., Macq, B., Vandermeeren, Y., & Bleyenheuft, Y. (2024). Hand-Arm Bimanual Intensive Therapy Including Lower Extremities (HABIT-ILE) in chronic stroke: clinical changes. 24th Congress of the European Society for Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine (ESPRM2024), Ljubljana, Slovenia. https://hdl.handle.net/2078.5/229597
  • 2022
    • Article de journal
      Araneda Oyaneder, R., Ebner-Karestinos, D., Dricot, L., Herman, E., Hatem, S., Friel, K. M., Gordon, A. M., & Bleyenheuft, Y. (2022). Impact of early brain lesions on the optic radiations in children with cerebral palsy. Frontiers in neuroscience, 16, 924938 [1-12]. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnins.2022.924938 (Original work published 2022)
    • Sogbossi, E. S., Arnould, C., Kpadonou, T. G., Batcho, C. S., & Bleyenheuft, Y. (2022). Measuring global activity performance in children with cerebral palsy in West Africa: validation of an adapted version of the ACTIVLIM-CP questionnaire. Disability and Rehabilitation, 1-10. https://doi.org/10.1080/09638288.2022.2154083 (Original work published 2022)
    • Philippot, A., Dubois, V., Lambrechts, K., Grogna, D., Robert, A., Jonckheer, U., Chakib, W., Beine, A., Bleyenheuft, Y., & De Volder, A. (2022). Data on the impact of physical exercise treatment on depression and anxiety in a psychiatric hospital for adolescents. Data in Brief, 42, 108165 [1-7]. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dib.2022.108165 (Original work published 2022)
    • Philippot, A., Grogna, D., Dubois, V., Regniers, J., Beine, A., & Bleyenheuft, Y. (2022). Lichaamsbeweging en depressie. Medi-Sfeer, 717, 27-30. https://hdl.handle.net/2078.5/101484 (Original work published 2022)
  • 2021
    • Article de journal
      Sogbossi, E. S., Houekpetodji, D., Kpadonou, T. G., & Bleyenheuft, Y. (2021). Mothers’ perception of cerebral palsy in a low-income country of West Africa: a cross-sectional study. Disability and Rehabilitation, May(15), 1-8. https://doi.org/10.1080/09638288.2021.1919765 (Original work published 2021)
    • Robert, M. T., Ferre, C. L., Chin, K. Y., Brandao, M. B., Carmel, J., Araneda, R., Bleyenheuft, Y., Friel, K., & Gordon, A. M. (2021). Intensive Bimanual Intervention for Children Who Have Undergone Hemispherectomy: A Pilot Study. Pediatric physical therapy : the official publication of the Section on Pediatrics of the American Physical Therapy Association, 33(3), 120-127. https://doi.org/10.1097/PEP.0000000000000804 (Original work published 2021)
  • 2020
    • Article de journal
      Santamaria, V., Rachwani, J., Saussez, G., Bleyenheuft, Y., Dutkowsky, J., Gordon, A. M., & Woollacott, M. H. (2020). The Seated Postural & Reaching Control Test in Cerebral Palsy: A Validation Study. Physical & Occupational Therapy in Pediatrics : a quarterly journal of developmental therapy, 40(4), 441-469. https://doi.org/10.1080/01942638.2019.1705456 (Original work published 2020)
  • 2019
    • Article de journal
      Araneda, R., Ebner‐Karestinos, D., Paradis, J., Saussez, G., Friel, K. M., Gordon, A. M., & Bleyenheuft, Y. (2019). Reliability and responsiveness of the Jebsen‐Taylor Test of Hand Function and the Box and Block Test for children with cerebral palsy. Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology, 61(10), 1182-1188. https://doi.org/10.1111/dmcn.14184 (Original work published 2019)
    • Riquelme, I., Arnould, C., Hatem, S., & Bleyenheuft, Y. (2019). The Two-Arm Coordination Test: Maturation of Bimanual Coordination in Typically Developing Children and Deficits in Children with Unilateral Cerebral Palsy. Developmental Neurorehabilitation, 22(5), 312-320. https://doi.org/10.1080/17518423.2018.1498552 (Original work published 2019)
    • Chabrier, S., Pouyfaucon, M., Chatelin, A., Bleyenheuft, Y., Fluss, J., Gautheron, V., Newman, C. J., Sébire, G., Van Bogaert, P., Vuillerot, C., Brochard, S., & Dinomais, M. (2019). From congenial paralysis to post-early brain injury developmental condition: Where does cerebral palsy actually stand? Annals of physical and rehabilitation medicine, ##(##), ##. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rehab.2019.07.003 (Original work published 2019)
    • Sogbossi, S. E., Houekpetodji, D., Kpadonou, T. G., & Bleyenheuft, Y. (2019). A Cross-sectional Study of the Clinical Profile of Children With Cerebral Palsy in Benin, a West African Low-Income Country. Journal of Child Neurology, 34(13), 842-850. https://doi.org/10.1177/0883073819864516 (Original work published 2019)
    • Papier de conférence
      Philippot, A., Dubois, V., Lambrechts, K., Grogna, D., Robert, A., Jonckheer, U., Chakib, W., Beine, A., Bleyenheuft, Y., & De Volder, A. (2019). L’activité physique chez les jeunes en santé mentale: un outil préventif et thérapeutique ? Projet T4T « Together for Teens ». Projet T4T « Together for Teens ». Sport et Psychiatrie. Société royale de médecine mentale de Belgique, Beauvallon, Belgique. https://hdl.handle.net/2078.5/110056
  • 2018
    • Article de journal
      Gillick, B. T., Gordon, A. M., Feyma, T., Krach, L. E., Carmel, J., Rich, T. L., Bleyenheuft, Y., & Friel, K. (2018). Non-Invasive Brain Stimulation in Children With Unilateral Cerebral Palsy: A Protocol and Risk Mitigation Guide. Frontiers in Pediatrics, ecollection2018(6), 1-9. https://doi.org/10.3389/fped.2018.00056 (Original work published 2018)
    • Ickx, G., Hatem, S. M., Riquelme, I., Friel, K. M., Henne, C., Araneda, R., Gordon, A. M., & Bleyenheuft, Y. (2018). Impairments of Visuospatial Attention in Children with Unilateral Spastic Cerebral Palsy. Neural Plasticity, 2018, 1435808 [1-14]. https://doi.org/10.1155/2018/1435808 (Original work published 2018)
  • 2017
    • Article de journal
      Smorenburg, A. R. P., Gordon, A. M., Kuo, H.-C., Ferre, C. L., Brandao, M., Bleyenheuft, Y., Carmel, J. B., & Friel, K. M. (2017). Does Corticospinal Tract Connectivity Influence the Response to Intensive Bimanual Therapy in Children With Unilateral Cerebral Palsy? Neurorehabilitation and Neural Repair, 31(3), 250-260. https://doi.org/10.1177/1545968316675427 (Original work published 2017)
    • Ickx, G., Bleyenheuft, Y., & Hatem, S. M. (2017). Development of Visuospatial Attention in Typically Developing Children. Frontiers in Psychology, 8, epages. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2017.02064 (Original work published 2017)
    • Saussez, G., Brandão, M. B., Gordon, A. M., & Bleyenheuft, Y. (2017). Including a Lower-Extremity Component during Hand-Arm Bimanual Intensive Training does not Attenuate Improvements of the Upper Extremities: A Retrospective Study of Randomized Trials. Frontiers in Neurology, 8, epages. https://doi.org/10.3389/fneur.2017.00495 (Original work published 2017)
  • 2016
    • Article de journal
      Marneweck, M., Kuo, H., Smorenburg, A., Flamand, V., Ferre, C., Bleyenheuft, Y., Gordon, A. M., & Friel, K. M. (2016). Searching for the neural correlates of hand function in unilateral spastic cerebral palsy: does size, strength, and overlap of movement representations matter? Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology. https://doi.org/10.1111/dmcn.16_13224
    • Friel, K. M., Kuo, H.-C., Fuller, J., Ferre, C. L., Brandão, M., Carmel, J. B., Bleyenheuft, Y., Gowatsky, J. L., Stanford, A. D., Rowny, S. B., Luber, B., Bassi, B., Murphy, D. L. K., Lisanby, S. H., & Gordon, A. M. (2016). Skilled Bimanual Training Drives Motor Cortex Plasticity in Children With Unilateral Cerebral Palsy. Neurorehabilitation and Neural Repair, 30(9), 834-844. https://doi.org/10.1177/1545968315625838 (Original work published 2016)
    • Papier de conférence
      Lombardo, C., Bleyenheuft, Y., Caty, G., & De Volder, A. (2016). A systematic review of clinical studies on exercise in prevention and treatment of depression among adolescents and young students. Annual Congress of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine, Leuven, Belgium. https://hdl.handle.net/2078.5/176583
    • Chapitre de livre
      Bleyenheuft, Y., & Thonnard, J.-L. (2016). Development of Touch. In Tony Prescott, Ehud Ahissar, Eugene Izhikevich (ed.), Scholarpedia of Touch (p. p. 343-349). Atlantis Press. https://doi.org/10.2991/978-94-6239-133-8_28
  • 2015
    • Papier de conférence
      Bleyenheuft, Y., Gordon, A. M., Rameckers, E., Thonnard, J.-L., & Arnould, C. (2015). Measuring manual ability changes with ABILHAND-Kids during intensive training for children with cerebral palsy: a responsiveness study. Published. 27th Annual Meeting of the European Academy of Childhood Disability, (Denmark) Copenhagen. https://doi.org/10.1111/dmcn.12780_16
    • Article de journal
      Bleyenheuft, Y., Dricot, L., Gilis, N., Kuo, H.-C., Grandin, C., Bleyenheuft, C., Gordon, A. M., & Friel, K. M. (2015). Capturing neuroplastic changes after bimanual intensive rehabilitation in children with unilateral spastic cerebral palsy: A combined DTI, TMS and fMRI pilot study. Research in Developmental Disabilities, 43-44, 136-149. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ridd.2015.06.014 (Original work published 2015)
    • Riquelme, I., Henne, C., Flament, B., Legrain, V., Bleyenheuft, Y., & Hatem, S. (2015). Use of prism adaptation in children with unilateral brain lesion: Is it feasible? Research in Developmental Disabilities, 43-44, 61-71. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ridd.2015.06.009 (Original work published 2015)
  • 2014
    • Article de journal
      Arnould, C., Bleyenheuft, Y., & Thonnard, J.-L. (2014). Hand Functioning in Children with Cerebral Palsy. Frontiers in Neurology, 5, 48 [1-10]. https://doi.org/10.3389/fneur.2014.00048 (Original work published 2014)
  • 2010
    • Papier de conférence
      Bleyenheuft, Y. (2010). Motor control of prehension in children with cerebral palsy. New Insights for Rehabilitation, Godinne, Belgium. https://hdl.handle.net/2078.5/52392
    • Bleyenheuft, Y., Leglise, L., Rochet, F., Arnould, C., & Dierick, F. (2010). Postural and locomotor improvements after using a virtual realty interface in the treatment of teenagers with cerebral palsy - preliminary study. Society for Research in Rehabilitation, Brussels, Belgium. https://hdl.handle.net/2078.5/218785
    • Article de journal
      Bleyenheuft, C., Bleyenheuft, Y., Hanson, P., & Deltombe, T. (2010). Treatment of genu recurvatum in hemiparetic adult patients: A systematic literature review. Annals of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine, 53(3), 189-199. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rehab.2010.01.001 (Original work published 2010)
  • 2009
    • Papier de conférence
      Bleyenheuft, Y., & Thonnard, J.-L. (2009). Predictive and reactive control of precision grip in children with congenital hemiplegia. Society for research in rehabilitation, Brussels, Belgium. https://hdl.handle.net/2078.5/220160
  • 2008
    • Papier de conférence
      Bleyenheuft, Y., Lefèvre, P., & Thonnard, J.-L. (2008). Motor control of impulsive loadings. 1st Congress for Sports Medicine and Sports Sciences COIB (pre-congress event), Brussels Belgium. https://hdl.handle.net/2078.5/254466
  • 2005
    • Papier de conférence
      Bleyenheuft, Y., Olivier, E., & Thonnard, J.-L. (2005). Motor control in the precision grip of patients with congenital hemiplegia. 30th congress of the “société de Biomecanique”, Brussels, Belgium. https://hdl.handle.net/2078.5/218791